If you have to be outside for your job or enjoy strolls in nature, summer is the best time of year. When outside however, you should be aware of a variety of poisonous oak and ivy plants in Greenville, SC that can ruin weeks of your summer. No one would rather be inside their house trying not to scratch patches of itchy, rash covered skin. If you think you’ve been exposed to one of these poisonous plants, visit our walk-in medical clinic any day of the week with no appointment needed. AFC Urgent Care on Woodruff Road has board-certified physicians ready to give you a thorough examination to determine the cause of any rash.

In the realm of poisonous plants in the United States the “Big Three” are poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac. All three plants contain Urushiol. This is the substance that causes rashes to break out. The good news to remember is that this is not bacteria or a virus. Once you wash the oil off from your clothes and skin, you can no longer spread the rash. Until then however, you can spread the oil to other parts of your body or other surfaces simply by touch. If you aren’t mindful you can spread your rash to your face or other parts of your body without even knowing it.

The Big Three

Poison ivy can grow anywhere in North America except for Alaska, Hawaii, and exceptionally dry desert environments. Normally it will appear as a vine or a shrub growing close to the ground. It’s just as likely to appear in an urban environment as it would in a rural environment. If you remember the phrase “Leaves of three, leave them be,” then you’ll remember what poison ivy looks like. The leaves of this plant tend to grow in groups of three and can occasionally have small flowers and light colored berries.

Poison oak leaves, much like poison ivy, also grow in groups of three. However the leaves of this plant are smooth and curve unlike the jagged leaves of poison ivy. This plant is often mistaken for a small oak tree plant, hence the name poison oak.

Poison sumac is very difficult to pick out in nature because it looks like just a harmless shrub or tree and easily blends in. Unfortunately of the three plants, this one has the highest potential to cause a very severe rash. Fortunately, you are unlikely to find it outside of very wet environments, such as riverbanks and swamps.

You risk developing a rash on your skin if you come into contact with any of these plants. If the rash becomes severe enough, more symptoms can develop such as fever, swelling, and blisters. In rare cases, people can develop an anaphylactic reaction. In these situations, a person should immediately seek out medical care. Farmers, construction workers, groundskeepers, and hikers are most often afflicted with rashes from these plants since they are more likely to spend time outside. However anyone who engages in activities outside touching plants or carrying the cut remains of plants are at risk for exposure.

If you find yourself with a rash after spending a day outside, there is usually no need to panic. A rash from one of these plants, while obnoxious, will heal itself in one to three weeks. Most of the time, simple over the counter anti-itch creams should be more than enough to get you through it. However it is very important to wash your clothes and skin to remove any traces of urushiol. Otherwise, you risk spreading the rash to other parts of your body and other people. If your rash lingers, consult a doctor. They may prescribe topical steroids to speed up your recovery.

Working outside or heading into the woods? Experts recommend wearing protective clothing and avoid touching plants you don’t recognize. You will dramatically cut your chances of being exposed to these poisonous plants if you follow these tips. Do one of these plants grow on your property or wear you work? Experts also suggest using pesticides to kill the plants rather than pulling them up by hand. Whatever you do, do not burn these plants. By burning them, you risk creating airborne particles of urushiol which can be inhaled and cause rashes in the throat and lungs. This is a very dangerous condition to be afflicted with.

Not quite sure where a rash came from? Visit AFC Urgent Care on Woodruff Road today. No appointment is ever needed to be seen by one of our physicians. We accept most major insurances and we will diagnose and treat your rash regardless of the cause. We can also educate you on how to protect your family from dangerous outdoor plants.